Linebacker Keith Rivers has decided to retire rather than report to training camp with the Dallas Cowboys.
Coach Jason Garrett said he spoke with the 29-year-old Rivers about two hours before the team boarded a flight Tuesday for California.
The Cowboys placed Rivers on the reserve/retired list before the first camp workout Thursday.
He signed with Dallas in March and went through offseason workouts.
A top-10 pick by Cincinnati in 2008, Rivers missed time with various injuries while also playing for the New York Giants and Buffalo.
The seven-year veteran was never listed with a concussion.
Rivers had 182 tackles in 74 games, including 50 starts. He started 33 of the 35 games he played in three seasons with the Bengals.
Copyright The Associated Press
